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[Anonymous]

Hi All.
As I live in Australia, and run US Model Rail. I was wundering what will happen next.

can anyone tell me if they know who (If any) of the rail companys looking at buying any new Loco units?

And what they are looking at, & Why?

Thanks all.

Matt.....Typan[oX)]

[StillGrande]

Union Pacific just upped their order for SD70's from EMD to 250 (from 100) due to power shortages. They have been receiving large numbers of AC units from GE too.

BNSF has been getting SD70MACs.

I'm sure Norfolk Southern and CSX are buying too, but I am not sure what.

Most of the biggies need the new stuff to replace the older units and due to increased demand for rail shipping. For a while, UP was even reactivating retired sd40-2s due to the power need (this seems to have slacked off this year).

Seems everyone is also watching the SD70ACe tests (and the GE green versions, but I don't remember the designation) since new enviromental regulations on emissions will affect future loco production.

There has also been interest in the Green Goat switcher concept, and some testing is being done.

Amtrack has been adding Acela trainsets to the NE corridor.

[Anonymous]

greetings!!! here in csx has ordered 50 sd70mac and also 20 sd70mace all due within the next several months. the sd70mace are new envirement friendly models. the (50)sd70mac, added because of increase in freight and truck trailer/container traffic and replacing leased and older units. take care!!

[ndbprr]

Nw locmotives are an interesting discussion. My personal opinion is that the bulk of the current locmotives being built we be one owner fifteen year wonders and most will be scrapped when the fifteen years are up. Why fifteen years? That is how long it takes to depreciate a locomotive and nothing being built for the mainline railroads has any useful purpose on shortlines or regional lines. Locos like the DD40's and u50C's were scrapped asap. That is what I think will happen to most of the egines being built todaysince there won't be a secondary market for them. Even SD40 and SD40-2 engines are too big for most of these applications and Gp7-GP38's are in abundance. I wouldn't be surprised to see GP7 and 9 engines make it to 75 years old and maybe 100 years and still be in service. This will be something steam engines never accomplished

[railman]

I'd agree with ndbprr here and say go GP-7! Not many short-lines need a Dash-9, but maybe if ol' Uncle Sam pays for rehabilitating them, then maybe.

[Anonymous]

New Jersey Transit is getting dubble deck coaches/cabs and they are getting PL42AC's.

[Junctionfan]

BNSF,UP and NS are buying some Evolution Series engines from GE.

Also heard that CN is going to be ordering some more Dash 9s

[Anonymous]

BNSF and UP have ES44AC's and AC4400CW's order, NS is finishing up its order of 15 ES40DC's, I don't think CSX has anything planned at this time.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Matt:
I have this bad habit with the various Australians of turning the question around. I scan John Cleverdon's Locopage quite regularly and I haven't seen any new classes lately on that site. Are any of the Australian operators buying new locomotives?

Paul

[Anonymous]

I heard that the UP is going to buy 100 NEW BIG BOY STEAM LOCOMOTIVES for Freight service!-----To help with there Power crunch![:D]...........Sorry,I couldn't help saying that!

[Anonymous]

Well BNSF has alot of Dash 9 for its long runs and i here there getting new SD70MAC
st cloud MN has a small BNSF railyard and you see some of the older green and black engines in there doing short runs but the Dash 9 and EMDs do the long hauls.